When Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison decided not to seek re-election, she touched off a mad scramble among Republicans to succeed her. The field finally settled to nine contenders, ranging from the familiar David Dewhurst, the state’s lieutenant governor for the last decade, to several unknowns, like Lela Pittenger of Dripping Springs, who have never sought public office before.

We’ve watched the race with interest from the start, initially buoyed by the diversity of the field, more recently deflated by the conformity of the candidates’ rhetoric. Sadly, the primary has been characterized by the candidates’ rush to hug the hard right, largely ignoring moderate Republicans and independents.

In some ways, we understand the stampede. The GOP base is vocal and believes fervently in minimalist government, battening down the border and opposing “government schools.” But the GOP, and the broader state, has voters who love Texas’ business climate and low taxes while caring about public education, clean air and practical immigration solutions. They don’t see these values as contradictory. The more Republicans court only die-hard conservatives, the more they alienate such voters — and delay resolution of the state’s mounting challenges.

In the end, our decision came down to a choice between Dewhurst and former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, whose generally commendable tenure at the helm of this city makes him an appealing candidate. Both have displayed balanced vision in the past; either would, in all likelihood, make a good senator. We believe Dewhurst is the superior choice based on his experience, record, longevity and smarts.

Dewhurst’s experience valuable

Dewhurst, 66, has won statewide elections since becoming land commissioner in 1998. He’s served in a partisan legislative body, having led the Texas Senate since 2003. He knows not only Texas issues, but also national ones, such as how federal policies affect health care. The Houston businessman understands Texas’ big cities, expansive suburbs and wide-open rural spaces.

We particularly respect his legislative experience. Texas’ lieutenant governors appoint Senate committee chairs, manage the flow of bills and must demonstrate policy and party leadership across many issues.

Dewhurst’s leadership hasn’t been without flaws. His need to be liked has frustrated senators who haven’t always known exactly where he stood on difficult issues at difficult times. But he has been impressive in other ways, mastering the details of complex issues, for example, and building coalitions to get things done — traits even Senate colleagues with whom he’s disagreed readily acknowledge.

Dewhurst has been bipartisan at times, including appointing Democrats to head committees. He has backed priorities that could help Texas work better, such as finding new ways to fund roads and water projects. Importantly, he has supported greater transparency in government, including backing a move to require legislators to publicly record their votes.

A policymaker at heart, Dewhurst has a passion for detail. That includes Texas’ budget, where he concentrates on small items along with big-ticket ones. He’s conservative in spending, but he understands balancing the budget on the backs of the poor eventually will haunt Texas.

In short, Dewhurst has been a fair-minded problem solver. His mastery of issues like Medicaid spending will matter if elected. He knows Texas must find money to sustain that program.

At times, his campaign’s tone has been disappointing. His stand on immigration, for example, where he talks about tripling border agents — their number has already doubled since 2004 — is narrow and divisive. And he’s taken a page from Rick Perry’s playbook in sharply limiting campaign appearances, candidate debates and editorial board discussions. That strategy didn’t serve Perry well nationally and, in the long run, it’s unlikely to serve Dewhurst any better.

Leppert appealing, but record too short

Still, Dewhurst has a 14-year record in the public eye. His experience makes him more of a known quantity and would give him a leg up in stepping into the large, partisan and diverse Senate. Leppert, by contrast, served four years as mayor, working with a 14-member nonpartisan City Council from 2007 to 2011.

We admired Leppert’s push as mayor to develop the Trinity tollway and to build a new convention hotel. He was right to oppose city contracts that were not competitively bid. Each bruising episode revealed leadership, doggedness and vision.

In this race, the 57-year-old former construction company CEO has appropriately homed in on core economic issues. He offers detailed plans for economic renewal. We particularly like his ideas about reforming the tax code through closing loopholes, flattening rates and keeping the effort from yielding a net tax hike. That’s the formula for a bipartisan tax overhaul that Dewhurst should push if elected senator.

Leppert started strong as mayor but shifted his sights midterm to this Senate post. He left a number of pledges unfulfilled, including his commitment to stimulate investment in southern Dallas, key to the city’s economic future. Too many Dallas residents were left wondering what happened to his promises.

Leppert stair-stepped his way toward federal office too quickly for us to feel entirely comfortable recommending him for this office at this time in this field.

Cruz is too much a litigator

Houston attorney Ted Cruz, 41, is another candidate we looked at hard. The state’s former solicitor general is hard-charging, articulate and smart.

But he makes it clear on paper and in person that he’s more about fighting and defending and toppling than bringing people together, building coalitions or solving problems — skills that lie at the heart of good governing.

We get his litigator appeal. He’s pugnacious, in-your-face, combative; that can feel good. But his appeal is based on an underlying anger that works only so far. Politics is about finding enough common ground with opponents to reach a solution, even if it is an impure one.

Cruz cites GOP Sen. Tom Coburn as a role model. The Oklahoman has stood out in Washington as a member of the hard right who has advocated using both budget cuts and tax increases as a necessary compromise to reduce the debt. Cruz dismissed that part of Coburn’s record during our interview, saying “I’m not your guy” if that’s the sort of leadership we want.

We agree.

Others less informed, little known

The other candidates are largely less informed, little known — or both. They include Craig James, 51, a Celina rancher and former SMU and NFL football star; Glenn Addison, 51, a Magnolia funeral home owner; Ben Gambini, 54, a Winnie control systems specialist; Curt Cleaver, 46, a Southlake businessman specializing in hotel sales and management; Joe Agris, 70, a Houston cosmetic surgeon. Pittenger, 32, currently unemployed and campaigning full time, seemed the most articulate of the bunch. She could gain valuable experience by seeking local office. None showed the knowledge or leadership expected of a U.S. senator.

Dewhurst’s experience, record and knowledge make him the best Republican in this field.

The winner will face the victor of a four-person Democratic field.

Coming Tuesday: Our recommendations in 38 local, county, state and federal elections.

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